Mara Wilson Remembers Robin Williams: 'I Feel Very Lucky to Have Known Him'

Mara Wilson, known for her role as a child star in the 1990s, made her film debut alongside Robin Williams in the beloved movie "Mrs. Doubtfire." In a recent interview, she reflected on her experiences with the late Oscar-winning actor on set.

Wilson, who also starred in the adaptation of Roald Dahl's "Matilda" and the Christmas classic "Miracle on 34th Street," played one of the three children of Daniel Hillard, a voice actor portrayed by Williams. Daniel transforms into the character of Mrs. Euphegenia Doubtfire to care for his children after losing custody following a divorce from his wife, Miranda, played by Sally Field.

Both Wilson and Field share fond memories of Williams, who passed away in 2014 at the age of 63. In her conversation with Evoke, the now 39-year-old Wilson, who has stepped away from acting, reminisced about her time on the "Mrs. Doubtfire" set and her relationship with Williams.

While Sally Field was already a two-time Oscar winner and Williams was a major star thanks to films like "Dead Poets Society" and "Hook," young Wilson was not initially overwhelmed by the celebrity surrounding her. “I knew Robin Williams was the voice of the Genie in ‘Aladdin,’ so I knew he was a big deal,” she recalled. “I loved the Genie; who didn’t? But I never felt overwhelmed by the presence of the stars because I was only five […] At that age, you don’t really understand the concept of fame. You just think, ‘Oh, this person is kind of cool.’”

Mara Wilson on Robin Williams: "He Was Such a Wonderful Person"

This sentiment was particularly true for Williams, who made it a point to ensure his co-stars felt comfortable during filming. “I feel very lucky to have known Robin because he was such a kind and wonderful person. […] He was very quiet and shy, but at the same time, he gave his full attention to children. He wanted to make people laugh […] He would create little puppets that would talk to each other and to us, and we would laugh about it—but he also took us seriously.”

Wilson had previously expressed similar thoughts in a blog post shortly after Williams' passing in 2014 (via ABC News): “He seemed to instinctively know what we would find funny, and he never said anything inappropriate for kids. After all, he was a father himself. […] It’s remarkable how many lives Robin touched, and how many people—just like me—said he reminded them of their own fathers.”

She concluded her reflections by quoting her character from "Mrs. Doubtfire": “I guess […] we all are his goddamn kids.”

For those curious about how Mara Wilson and her fellow child actors from "Mrs. Doubtfire" have changed over the years, there's another article featuring their reunion: 30 Years Later, See How the Kids from "Mrs. Doubtfire" Look Now!